Putting Young People at the Centre of Care

Over the years, we have learned that young people need more than access to clinics or information. They need safe, supportive environments where they feel heard, respected and empowered to make informed decisions about their health. This is the foundation of youth-friendly services and one of the reasons the Soul City Institute continues to champion meaningful engagement with young people.

Recently, through our partnership with Higher Health, we facilitated a dialogue at Tshwane North TVET College's Temba Campus as part of a broader initiative led by the Gauteng AIDS Council under the theme "Care and Support." The dialogue brought together students and key stakeholders to strengthen the response to HIV, tuberculosis (TB) and sexually transmitted infections (STIs).

Rather than delivering information through a one-way presentation, the dialogue created a safe and inclusive space where students openly shared their experiences, concerns and aspirations. Conversations explored stigma, mental wellbeing, healthy relationships, access to healthcare services, HIV testing, and the barriers many young people continue to face when seeking care.

At Soul City Institute, participatory dialogue remains one of our most effective approaches to health promotion. We believe that lasting change happens when young people are given the opportunity to speak, ask difficult questions, challenge assumptions and contribute to finding solutions. These conversations recognise that health is influenced not only by medical services, but also by social realities, economic circumstances and the environments in which young people live, learn and work.

The choice of Tshwane North TVET College (Temba Campus) was intentional. The institution was identified because of existing service delivery challenges and socio-economic vulnerabilities that highlight the need for stronger access to integrated health and social services. Hosting the dialogue there also created an opportunity to strengthen collaboration between the college, healthcare providers, community organisations and surrounding Community Education and Training (CET) colleges, ensuring that students are better connected to the support they need.

As Soul City Institute Programmes Officer Nondumiso Khethwa explains:

"Tshwane North TVET College (Temba Campus) has been identified as the host site due to existing service delivery challenges and socio-economic vulnerabilities that require strengthened access to integrated health and social services. Hosting the campaign at this institution will also support outreach to surrounding communities through CET colleges and strengthen linkages between facility- and institution-based services."

Her words reinforce an important reality: improving health outcomes requires coordinated partnerships that extend beyond healthcare facilities and into the spaces where young people spend their daily lives.

At Soul City Institute, we believe that ending HIV, TB and STIs demands more than awareness campaigns. It requires youth-friendly services, accessible healthcare, effective referral systems, community partnerships and ongoing conversations that reduce stigma while encouraging help-seeking behaviour. When young people trust the systems designed to support them, they are more likely to access services early, remain engaged in care and make informed choices about their wellbeing.

Every dialogue is an opportunity to empower young people with knowledge, connect them to essential services and remind them that they are not alone.

Care begins with listening. Support is demonstrated through action. Together, they create healthier campuses, stronger communities and brighter futures.

As we continue working alongside Higher Health, the Gauteng AIDS Council and our partners, we remain committed to ensuring that every young person has access to accurate information, quality healthcare and supportive environments where they can thrive.

Together, we can build a future where care is accessible, support is unconditional and every young person has the opportunity to live a healthy, empowered life.